Week #8 Reading Discussions: Malware

Malware

• Described as malicious software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. (ex.  computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, rogue software, and scareware)
• Detect/remove malware: windows defender/Malwarebytes
• The term was coined by Yisrael Radai in 1990
  • first-known malware is Creeper: moved around different mainframes with a message that said “‘I’m the creeper: Catch me if you can.”
• PUP(Potentially unwanted software): tricks users into installing into their systems through browser toolbars
  • can contain spyware functionality…not normally considered malware unless executes malicious features.

 

Questions:

1. Have you ever encounter a malware attack? How and why?
2. What can be used to defend against a malware attack?